NYK Tests Biofuel on Dry Bulk Carrier

Japanese shipping giant NYK has conducted a trial use of biofuel in Europe on its 179,288 dwt dry bulk carrier Frontier Sky.

Performed in collaboration with mining company BHP and sustainable biofuel company GoodFuels, the trial was undertaken on January 30 after the biofuel was bunkered at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The biofuel was made from waste oils such as used cooking oil, according to NYK. Biofuels are considered to be carbon-neutral and have significantly lower emission of sulphur oxides (SOx) compared to conventional fossil fuel, hence, using biofuels could help meet IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap regulation.

For the arrangement of the bunkering of the biofuel at Rotterdam, blockchain technology was used as a trial. This technology enhances the traceability of marine fuel and provides a clear chain of custody for better quality assurance in the bunker fuel supply chain, the company explained.

NYK’s reduction targets for GHG emissions are 30% per ton-kilometer by 2030 compared with a 2015 base year, and 50% per ton-kilometer by 2050 compared with the same base year. These targets have been recognized as science-based by the international Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative.